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Why is diamond not malleable?

Updated: 5/26/2024
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10y ago

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Diamond is extremely strong due to the structure of its carbon atoms with covalent bonds.
It's been answered before, both correctly and incorrectly. Malleable means if you hit with a hammer it will change shape, like copper and other metals. "Change shape" doesn't mean shatter. Diamonds and other crystalline minerals are not malleable.
Diamonds are malleable, because, as stated by Newton's Laws of Motion, when a force acts on an object it will:
  • Speed up,
  • Slow down,
  • Change direction,
  • Or change shape

Therefore, if the diamonds cannot move, like if you hit two diamonds together - some would argue that if you put the diamond in the vice and hit it the vice would move instead - then they only effect that can happen is that the diamonds will change shape.

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10y ago
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2mo ago

Diamond is not malleable because it has a 3D covalent network structure where each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbon atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. This network structure makes it difficult for the atoms to move past each other, resulting in diamond being extremely hard and brittle instead of malleable.

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Q: Why is diamond not malleable?
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Related questions

Is diamond more malleable than copper?

No, copper is more malleable than diamond. Copper is a soft metal that can be easily shaped and formed, while diamond is the hardest known natural material and is highly resistant to deformation.


Is carbon or gold is a malleable and conducts electricity?

Gold is both malleable and conducts electricity. Carbon, in the form of graphite, is also malleable and conducts electricity. Diamond, another form of carbon, is not conductive.


Is diamond ductile?

No, diamond is not ductile. It is the hardest known natural material but is brittle and will shatter when subjected to force.


What solid has a high boiling point is not malleable?

One example of a solid that has a high boiling point and is not malleable is diamond. Diamond is a form of carbon with strong covalent bonds arranged in a crystal lattice structure, which makes it extremely hard and with a high boiling point. Despite its hardness, diamond is not malleable because its crystal structure does not allow for easy deformation.


Is malleable a metal non-metal or metalloid?

A metal is malleable because aluminium, for example, can be compressed to a thin sheet and copper can be stretched to form a wire. On the other hand, a nonmetal isn't malleable. For example, carbon is extremely solid (it is a component of diamond). A metalloid, though, may be malleable or not depending on it's characteristics. Tin is a malleable substance (at some point) but silicon isn't... it's a rock!


What could be malleable or unmalleable?

Malleable materials are those that can be easily shaped or deformed, such as clay, aluminum, or gold. In contrast, unmalleable materials are rigid and resist deformation, like glass, diamond, or concrete.


Is carbon is a malleable substance?

No, carbon itself is not malleable. Malleability refers to the ability of a material to be deformed under compression without fracturing. Carbon exists in various forms such as diamond and graphite, which have different properties. Diamond is very hard and not malleable, while graphite is relatively soft and can be malleable.


Is carbon malluable?

Yes, carbon is malleable. It can be easily shaped or deformed under pressure without breaking. Carbon is commonly found in its malleable forms, such as graphite or diamond, which have different properties due to their unique molecular structures.


What substances are not malleable?

Substances that are brittle or lack ductility, such as glass, ceramics, and some types of polymers, are not malleable. These materials tend to fracture rather than deform when subjected to forces that would require malleability.


Is the element mercury malleable or not malleable?

malleable


Is carbon uranium malleable?

No, carbon is not malleable. Pick a form, hit with a hammer, and it won't "flatten out" like, say, gold. Carbon in the form of graphite or diamond won't do well when struck.


Is gold brittle or malleable?

Gold is extremely malleable.